BMI-CTY Chairman Unveils Project to Foster Entrepreneurship Among Young Nigerians
Engineer Nnamdi Unachukwu, Chairman of Business Matters Incubators-Catch Them Young (BMI-CTY), recently introduced an initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among young Nigerians. Entitled “Incubating African Kid Entrepreneurs for Next Generational Impact,” this groundbreaking project seeks to address poverty, fraud, unemployment, and insecurity in Nigeria through entrepreneurship education.
During the launch event, Unachukwu conveyed his enthusiasm for the initiative and presented his first book, a significant achievement resulting from his unwavering dedication and hard work. He shared his personal motto, “Lost But Found,” symbolizing the discovery of solutions that will secure the future of young Nigerians as the nation’s next leaders.
He underscored the urgent need for educational reforms to shape the minds of young Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas. After years of exhaustive research, consultations, and determination, BMI-CTY was established. The initiative targets children aged 7 to 14, equipping them with the essential skills and mindset to succeed as entrepreneurs. Unachukwu criticized previous short-term approaches that failed with each change in government and stressed the significance of long-term sustainable strategies.
A unique aspect of the BMI-CTY initiative is its use of a distinct methodology called the “six senses approach” to entrepreneurship education. This comprehensive method incorporates a wide range of resources such as textbooks, workbooks, video lessons, cartoon services, practical manuals, and train-the-trainer journal manuals. The goal is to modify behaviour, improve cognitive processes, and instill changes in values and attitudes during the critical developmental stages from childhood to adolescence.
The long-term vision of the BMI-CTY initiative is to nurture the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs over the next 10 to 15 years. Unachukwu emphasized the importance of fostering creativity, motivation, and problem-solving abilities among children and highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts among educational institutions, government agencies, and private sector partners to support educational reforms in the country.
Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Business Innovation Accelerator at Lagos Business School, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial education in empowering youths to create their own opportunities. She also acknowledged the government’s recognition of the need to integrate entrepreneurial education into the curriculum and commended the BMI-CTY initiative for its comprehensive framework for entrepreneurial education.
Representing the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Babatunde Jimoh praised the initiative and expressed optimism that it would inspire other NGOs to adopt a similar approach, further supporting the growth of entrepreneurial education in Nigeria. Adding a youthful perspective, Cossy Ogboruche, a young actor, expressed her excitement for the initiative and encouraged her peers to explore entrepreneurial ventures alongside their passions, highlighting the importance of preparing for the future in a challenging economic climate.
The event was attended by representatives from various schools, including Glowfield International School, Early Spring School, Impacting Lives School, and Silver Sands Hall School, all eager to learn about the new opportunities that BMI-CTY would offer.
As the BMI-CTY initiative gains momentum, it is poised to make a significant impact in shaping the entrepreneurial landscape for young Nigerians, providing them with the tools and mindset to thrive in the ever-evolving business world.